Thursday morning, it had to be Thursday morning. Professor Snape nearly broke a vial as he slammed it down, preparing for his next class of third-year Slytherins and Gryffindors. Supposedly this was the class she had chosen to observe, but she hadn't shown up yet. Americans, he thought, have the worst sense of timing.

"Possibly no one's warned you Lupin," Professor Snape said, "but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you not to entrust him with anything difficult. Not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear."

Professor Lupin smiled slightly. "I was hoping Neville would assist me with the first stage of the operation," he said, "and I am sure he will perform admirably."

Professor Snape scowled and swept out of the staff room. Lupin wasn't fooling anyone. Neville Longbottom had as much magical talent as a head of lettuce. Odd really, considering his parents...

"A moment of your time, Professor Snape?"

Now she decides to show up. "Really, Professor Sharick, I'm very busy right now. Perhaps some other time - "

She stepped in front of him. "Now, Professor."

He didn't have time for this. "Perhaps you didn't hear me when I said I was busy. Now, if you'll excuse me." He moved to go around her, but she blocked him. He narrowed his eyes at her and tried to move around the other way, but she blocked him again.

"Now. Professor," she said, holding her ground.

"Very well, make it quick, what is it."

"Professor, I think your comment in the staff room was extremely unprofessional."

What? She wasn't even in there. "Excuse me?"

"Your comment, Professor - "

"I heard what you said."

Professor Sharick shook her head. "It was most inappropriate Professor Snape. I shouldn't like to hear something like that again."

The absolute gall. "I see. Was that all?"

"Professor Snape, I'm being serious."

"As am I. Are you finished?"

She gave a slight sigh and pursed her lips. "Yes."

"Good." He brushed past her, clenching his fists. How dare she...

"Oh, Professor Snape, there was one other thing," she called after him. "I did enjoy watching you teach this morning."

He whipped back around to face her. "What?" You didn't show up!

"Your third-year class this morning," she continued. "You're obviously very knowledgeable on your subject and quite passionate about it. And also very interested in making sure your students learn. I was very impressed."

"But - "

"And you were quite right."

"About – what?"

"Miss Granger," she said. "She certainly shouldn't be whispering instructions to Mr. Longbottom." She shook her head. "That's not how people learn. Perhaps what he needs is a tutor, someone he can work one-on-one with, not to tell him the answers, but to help him find a way to figure them out on his own."

"But you weren't there," Professor Snape said, somehow finding his voice. "I didn't see you come in."

"I told you, you wouldn't," she said. "And neither would the students." She smiled. "I promised you, did I not Professor Snape, the epitome of discreet?"

He stared at her.

"Now you must excuse me," she said, smiling, her eyes glinting, "but I must get back to the staff room. Good day Professor Snape."

"Yes," he murmured as she disappeared through the staff room door. "Good day."

Professor Snape poked at his breakfast the next morning. He hadn't seen her since the previous afternoon – he'd eaten dinner alone while grading summer essays. Though he hadn't actually gotten much grading accomplished. That word kept rolling around in his head – unprofessional. His behavior had never been characterized that way before, certainly not in the same breath as an approval of his teaching style.

He stole a glance at her still empty chair next to him, then took another stab at his eggs.

"Good morning Professor Lupin, Professor Snape."

"Ah, Professor Sharick," Professor Lupin said. "So sorry about yesterday. All my fault."

"Sorry?"

Professor Snape's attention left his eggs again.

"Yesterday afternoon," Professor Lupin said. "I took my third-year Gryffindors to the staff room. You hadn't come in yet and I meant to leave you a note, but I forgot. Do forgive me."

Professor Snape frowned. Curious...

"Oh! Not at all Professor Lupin," Professor Sharick said. "I did miss the beginning, but that was my fault; I'd stopped to talk to someone. I caught most of it though. Boggarts. Very interesting."

"Oh, I didn't realize – but I didn't see - "

"She promised the epitome of discreet Lupin," Professor Snape said. "Weren't you paying attention?"

"Ah. Yes. Of course she did."

She raised an eyebrow at professor Snape who quickly turned back to his eggs. Shouldn't have said that.

She peered at him for a moment as he rearranged his bacon. "Professor Snape, is there something wrong?" she asked.

He shifted to be able to look down at her. "What," he said, "would make you think that?"

"Oh, ah, nothing," she said. She started in on her own breakfast and struck up another line of conversation with Professor Lupin.